PSV AND MILAN are set to lock horns in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off.
PSV lifted the trophy in their glory days back in 1988 while Milan are seven-time winners and their latest triumph came in 2007 versus Liverpool in Athens.
The last time these two sides met in a competitive match it was 2005 and Milan emerged victorious in a 3-3 aggregate result, thanks to an away goal by Massimo Ambrosini. Current PSV manager Phillip Cocu was in that losing PSV side but now he has created a very young and promising team who are inferior to no one.
Highlights: Milan 11-0 Derthona
Galliani: “Balotelli should be ready for PSV, Honda in January”
Here is PSV’s probable line-up (4-3-3)
Zoet; Arias, Burma, Rekik, Willems; Wijnaldum, Hiljemark, Maher; Bakkali, Locadia, Memphis.
PSV have a good defense in Eredivisie. So far they have conceded 2 goals in their opening three games so their defense looks unchanged. Hiljemark might be preferred over Schaars to play in midfield alongside Skipper, Wijnaldum and Maher.
A month ago Bakkali was an unknown player to many but now the Belgian attacker is seen as one of the most exciting prospects in the Europe. He forms a formidable force with fellow attackers Memphis and Locadia. Memphis had a fine game this weekend against Go Ahead Eagles but both Locadia and Bakkali rested to face Milan (Bakkali remains in doubt). PSV have scored 11 times in just three games, Bakkali and Wijnaldum are their top goal scorers with 3 goals each.
Massimiliano Allegri needs to pick a very attentive starting 11 to face PSV who play more like Barcelona and Arsenal. Short passing, through balls and clinical finishing is the trademark of this PSV side.
Here is Milan’s probable line-up (4-3-3)
Abbiati; Abate, Zapata, Mexes, Constant; Poli, De Jong, Montolivo; Boateng, Balotelli, El Shaarawy.
Milan defense needs to be rock solid against the defiant PSV attack. Any error would cost them a lot. Montolivo and Poli can be placed on both sides of De Jong to provide the midfield traffic for the PSV forwards. It’ll include the surveillance of Bakkali and Memphis. Both midfielders can play some diagonal passes to the Milan forwards. Montolivo’s deft passing would be the key to decide Milan’s destiny. De Jong needs to keep an eye on any intruder looking to invade Milan’s territory.
El Shaarawy will use his tricks of trade on the left side of the pitch while Boateng can play a free role between midfielders and forwards. In attack Milan largely rely on Balotelli and an instrumental performance is required by Balotelli in front of 35,000 jeering PSV fans and hopefully he’ll deliver the much-needed away goal.
Surely PSV are not a favorable opponent for any top team but we can’t underestimate this rejuvenated Milan side and an expected 2-1 would be a fair result.
2-1 for milan or against milan
From the narration of the score line, its Against milan cos psv are the home team.
3-0 to milan, not a goal less.
I dont care how talented PSV are, milan are milan! Personally i’ll consider anything short of a win as a massive disappointment.
Forza Milan
with this milan squad, I know we are going to win. I think boateng will be okay because he always show his worth when playing in UCL. wish balo and el scores. forza milan
Boateng should stay home.. If he`s number 10 then i`m Batman..
If psv like let them play like legendary celtic or madrid;Associazione Calcio Milano a.k.a AC Milan fear no foes ‘cos we are classically built to play in champions league tournament.we will surely comeout victorious in this tie!
Why play boateng again, i thought all the injured players will be available in the psv game so we will play the 4-3-1-2 Abbiati,Abate,Mexes,Zapata,De sciglio,Poli,De jong,Montolivo,Saponara,El shaarawy,Balotelli. De jong is important he have the experience from the eredivisie i can see us winning 1-2
I think boa shouldnt be in that starting eleven. Niang will be a better option, even i prefer emanuelson in attack ratier than boateng coz he will just spoil the game with his unnecessary shots and selfishness. Forza milan
2007 fınal wasnt ın Istanbul, ıt was ın Athens.
mexes canT play bcos of suspension right?
Actually, he is legible to play !!
Suspensions from last CL are erased.
milan wil beat psv by 4 goals tu zero forza milan.
we cannot be scared despite this being our first competitive game, so many times ive seen milan play another teams football in the opening minutes which has led to us conceding. We need to implement our football and show them who’s boss, UCL is our playground. we have to win!
Omg switch kevin prince for kingsley or niang and we will be set pleaseeee!!!
This is the best and the right formation we should use,ALL THE BEST
I agree with all those bashing boaten but he has some moments that might help milan. remember the milan barca game at sansiro last two seasons ago? let’s hope he will find those moments in this natch. grande milan
I remember 2 SEASONS ago.. But do you also remember a player named Ibrahimovic..?… Boateng played well alongside Ibra..
But surely i remember all of our pre season games as well..
I`m no coach, but i can see that Boateng, has nothing to do on a football field..
Galliani bought a cagefighter as a trequartista.. Nice one baldy, keep up the good work making Milan look like joke..You have done brilliant lately..
It was in Athen, not Istanbul. 2005 was Istanbul, whereas we lost :/.
Boatend is fine in this game, if psv play tip-tap like barca & arsenal do, then we need boateng in this match.Former milan goal keeper to undergo medical at milano seeing as gabriel has a shoulder injury. Milan to exchange player again with inter. Follow me on twitter @yohumblehost to get more new on transfer rumour,football review, live conmentary e.t.c about milan
I guess De Sciglio isn’t 100 % yet, otherwise I’d prefer him over Constant, of course. Poli in midfield is the way to go, and I would prefer to see Niang instead of Prince.
However, these are only the probable line-ups, there might be some changes.
I would also like to see de sciglio instead of constant and Niang instead of prince….. All the best, FORZA MILAN!!!!
@Nizam, this isn’t fifa, saponara has been injured and hasn’t played in any pre season matches . His fitness will be lacking and even wanting him in the starting eleven in such an important match without any pre season games under his belt is just foolish….
There’s no way this Milan side is going to beat PSV. No way!!!
lol?
Well hello Cyborg, I was almost sure you were going to write something negative, again
A significantly weaker Milan has defeated Juve last year, so winning over PSV is pretty much possible. It won’t be easy of course, but it is not impossible by any means.
Atletico Madrid have bid on Adem Ljajic, reportedly 10m – looks like we’ll not be getting him unless Galliani stops playing his games and just bids enough for him!
10 M?
Ljacic not worth all this.
Desiglio hasn’t played a single pre-season match and also recovering from injury. Therefore he’s not fit to in any shape or form. Constant starting at left back. Forza Milan!!!
i would b really mad if allegri uses ultra defensive tactics and tries to get a 0 0 result…i wanna see a strong milan looking to win the game…
Lets leave players choice to the coaches. I beleive Milan will get a good result enough to qualify over two legs.
With all said n done by my fellow milan fans, we should learn 2 appreciate our players n continue 2 give them d support n encouragement that they need…Constant n KPB av been superb bt every player have a bad period in his career bt when at their peak we hail them…why not hail them d more when they are at their worse period to catapult them back to there peak…
FORZA MILAN
Who says we cant beat PSV? Experience is gonna pay d price here….imagine Balo against those boys….forza MILAN
mexes? i thought he is suspended.
I pray we win, because is a disgrace to loose against this youthful and inexperience side. forza milan
I am in Amsterdam and heading to Eindhoven for the game. Where can I get a single ticket?
Who can tell me whether Mexex can play the first game with PSV ? and why ?
maizing psv win 0-3 milan
forza MILAN